Mystery person infected with Brazilian variant ‘finally found’ in England
The mystery person infected with the concerning Brazilian variant of Covid has finally been found in England, according to reports.
A five-day nationwide hunt was launched after the news that six people in the UK had been infected with the highly infectious strain.
Officials soon tracked down two cases in the same household in south Gloucestershire, with one person having travelled back from Brazil in mid-February.
Another three people who had recently been to Brazil were located in Scotland.
A desperate scramble ensued to find the remaining case after the person couldn’t be traced as they had not filled in their form properly.
Speaking to the Financial Times today, two officials claimed they have now been tracked down.
The strain is up to twice as transmissible as some others, researchers said this week.
Anyone who took a test on February 12 or 13 and had not received a result was urged to come forward immediately during the hunt.
Critics claimed the situation had exposed the ‘weaknesses’ in the border protections, slamming the Government for delaying tough restrictions.
Travellers who have permission to leave the country could be fined £200 if they show up at the airport without a new permit, the Department of Transport said today.
From Monday, people travelling internationally from England will have to complete a Declaration to Travel document and bring it with them.
It comes 40 days after the measure was first announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel on January 27.
Figures show Covid cases are still rising in 13 parts of England despite infection rates overall falling to their lowest level since September.
Meanwhile, the R Rate in the UK has crept back up again for the first time since January in a sign a rapid fall in infections may be slowing.
Matt Hancock is set to address the nation in a press conference at 5pm today, as more than 21 million people receive their first vaccine dose across the country.
The Department of Health and Public Health England have been contacted for comment.
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